Quad Critical Minerals Initiative

PWOnlyIAS

July 03, 2025

Quad Critical Minerals Initiative

The Quad nations—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—launched the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative during the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington, D.C (U.S).

Key Highlights

  • The initiative aims to enhance cooperation on issues like electronic waste management, the recovery and re-processing of critical minerals, and ensuring reliable global supply chains.
  • The goal is to diversify and secure supply chains for critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, and graphite, essential for electric vehicles (EVs), drones, and battery storage.
  • This initiative comes as a response to concerns over China’s dominant role in the global critical minerals supply chain and its coercive tactics, including price manipulation and export restrictions. 

Other Initiatives

  • Ports of the Future Partnership: The Quad will formally also launch the Ports of the Future Partnership in October 2025, hosting a conference in Mumbai to discuss strengthening regional connectivity and trade, complementing the critical minerals initiative.

Need for the Initiative

  • China’s Dominance:  China controls significant stages of critical mineral production, refining, and processing, dominating 68% of the world’s cobalt, 65% of nickel, and 60% of lithium production.
    • This monopoly exposes global industries to risks related to supply chain disruptions.
  • Economic and National Security Risks: China’s non-market policies, such as limiting export quantities and manipulating prices, create vulnerabilities. 
    • In 2024, China weaponized its control over critical minerals by banning exports of gallium and germanium to the US, escalating geopolitical tensions.
  • Technological and Industrial Growth: Critical minerals are vital for technologies like electric vehicles, drones, and renewable energy storage. 
    • As these technologies advance, stable mineral supplies are crucial for sustained economic growth and technological innovation.

Other Initiatives of India to Secure Critical Mineral Supply

India is proactive in securing a reliable supply of critical minerals through both national and international efforts:

  • Bilateral and Multilateral Partnerships: India has been strengthening its ties with countries rich in critical minerals like Australia, Canada, and African nations through trade agreements and resource-sharing pacts. 
    • In 2023, India joined the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to diversify mineral sources. 
  • Domestic Exploration and Mining: India is investing in the domestic mining of critical minerals, including lithium and nickel
    • The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) launched in 2025 aims to build self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. 
    • The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will oversee 1,200 exploration projects from 2024-31.
  • Strategic Stockpiling: India is building strategic reserves of key minerals to safeguard against supply chain disruptions. 
    • The Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), a joint venture company, is working to secure mineral supplies by facilitating acquisitions in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): India encourages collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop mining technologies, recycle electronic waste, and reprocess critical minerals (Union Budget-2025-26)
    • These efforts aim to bolster domestic capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
Additional Reading: Critical Minerals and India’s Mineral Diplomacy Strategy

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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